5 Tips for Hiking with Kids

Our family loves to go camping. Whether we camp-out at a local State Park near home or take a road-trip for a mini vacation, camping is an easy way our family becomes adventurous. On each trip we take part in various family-favorite hobbies such as, fishing, biking and hiking. Our camping trip this month led us to Palo Duro Canyon where we spent days hiking with kids.

5 Tips for Hiking with Kids

Monitor the Weather

A few clouds can make a hot day cool enough to enjoy a hike, but make sure you don’t get too far out and caught in a storm. During our camping trip there were a few scattered showers so we monitored the radar on our smartphone. The same goes for hiking in the middle of the day when the weather is too hot. Try to hike earlier in the morning or when the weather starts to cool down.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothes

The first day we went hiking my son decided to wear his flip flops. It was a last minute quick hike to get a better view of the canyon and since we had been traveling he slipped on quick shoes. They were not ideal for hiking and the next day we made sure he was dressed accordingly.

There were many steep paths in the canyon that we explored. It was not only important to wear the right shoes but also comfortable clothing.

Pack Snacks and Drinks

Packing healthy snacks and staying hydrated is important when taking a hike. I carry my backpack with me that includes the essentials.

Clif Kid provides snacks that are made with organic ingredients. My son loves the chocolate chip CLIF Kid Zbar®.

The non-GMO snack bar is filled with nutrients for active kids. By coming packaged in the appropriate portion sizes for kids, they are the perfect easy to-go snacking option for our camping trips. Plus, they have no high fructose corn syrup, no synthetic preservatives or artificial flavors.

CLIF Kid is dedicated to reclaiming play all year long. And they’re encouraging boys and girls everywhere to get back outside, push their boundaries and feed their adventures.

That’s exactly what we did during our hiking activity.

To learn more about healthy snacks for active kids check out this CLIF Kid video.

Pose for Photos – even silly ones

Our family has a thing about jumping photos. Every beach we have ever visited, even during our cruises, my son takes a photo jumping in the sand. We keep the tradition strong during all of our trips. Silly photos are the best and we have the most fun creating them.

Taking photos of scenery is always nice, but remember to take time to be in the photos too. That is how you preserve your memories to reminisce with the family months or years later.

Take a Break

When hiking with kids it is important not to push it too far. Heck, even I need a break at times. While you are enjoying your surroundings take a moment to sit down and relax. Don’t push yourself too hard and always ask the kids how they are doing. My son will keep going and going until he crashes if I let him.

You could even pack a picnic to stop along the way and rest.

What activity do you enjoy to do with your kids?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.